Barons burn Suns in 11th
July 17, 2004 - World Basketball Association (WBA)
Mississippi Miracles News Release
HOOVER, Ala. -- Carlos Maldonado's single to left field past a diving Sergio Garcia drove home the winning run as the Birmingham Barons beat the Suns, 2-1, in 11 innings Saturday in front of 5,533 fans at Metropolitan Stadium.
Nate Murphy led off the inning with a line drive double hit over a leaping Garcia and scored on Maldonado's fourth hit in five at bats. After stranding the bases loaded in the 10th, Brian Steffek (2-5) was dealt the loss. Jeff Bajenaru (2-0) pitched two scoreless innings to pick up the victory.
Suns starter Ryan Ketchner allowed five hits and one run - a fifth inning home run to Carlos Maldonado over 6-1/3 innings of work. Elvin Nina also delivered 2-2/3 scoreless relief innings to keep the game 1-1 into extra innings.
The Suns stranded seven baserunners over the first three innings, batting 0-for-5 with runners scoring position. With the bases loaded and one out in the fifth, James Loney's sacrifice fly accounted for the Suns' lone run.
AROUND THE BASES: Loney (left shoulder) returned to the lineup after sitting Friday and went 2-for-4. The Suns mustered one hit and had no runners in scoring position after the fifth inning. The Barons won for the first time in seven tries in extra innings this season.
ON DECK: Left-hander Derek Thompson (3-4, 3.25 ERA) is scheduled to oppose Barons lefty Ryan Meaux (4-6, 4.64) at 7 p.m. Sunday at Metropolitan Stadium. The Suns (42-47 overall, 7-13 second half) will face the Birmingham Barons (48-42, 13-8) in the final game of a four-game series.
By Joe Block
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World Basketball Association Stories from July 17, 2004
- Barons burn Suns in 11th - Mississippi Miracles
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